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Although they've worked in many plays together, "The Queen of Bingo" is a first for Pat Ganz and Judy Jarvis.

"We have know each other for approximately 842 years," Jarvis said, "and although we've been in a show or two together before, it's never been just the two of us, so it's pretty awesome."

They met, as far as they can recall, at Taft High School (now Hamilton High) in the choir.

"She was an alto and I sang second soprano so our sections were right next to each other," Ganz said. "It was my first experience in a public school because I had gone to Catholic schools for nine years."

"I had to show her the ropes," Jarvis said. "I was happy to do that, being the benevolent person I am."

Later in the interview, they amend the duration of their friendship from centuries to decades and settle on about 45 years, but the 1970s.

But they've done many shows together, beginning with a high school production of "The Music Man," and since then mostly for Greater Hamilton Civic Theatre and more recently with the Mad Anthony Theatre Company.

"I have directed her many times," Ganz said. "She has never directed me."

For their first duet, they play sisters Sis and Babe in "The Queen of bingo," which takes place (you might have guessed) during a night of Bingo where secrets are revealed.

Knowing each other so well, they both said, has created an energy between them that elevates the material and their own performances.

"I don't think there's any down to it," Ganz said.

"I can think of a downside," Jarvis responded. "We crack each other up. When we respond to a line, there's a break because Pat's hysterical and I'm pretty funny and she just loses it."

"Because it takes me back to another decade and I hate her for making me laugh that much," Ganz said.

"I think by the time we open, we'll be past that," Jarvis said, turning to her friend. "Don't you think?"

"If not, we're really in trouble," Ganz said.

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